Why charity comms professionals are burning out - with Adeela Warley, Chief Executive, Charity Comms

One in three charity comms professionals is currently burnt out, and an equal number are planning to leave the sector altogether. In their landmark 50th episode, Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are joined by returning guest Adeela Warley, Chief Executive of CharityComms, to unpack what her organisation's latest Salary and Organisational Culture Survey reveals about burnout across charity communications teams, and why the values-driven nature of our sector makes it so hard for people to say no. **In this episode:** - Why 33% of charity comms professionals are experiencing burnout, and what's driving middle managers to feel the squeeze hardest - How values-driven work in the charity sector can tip commitment into overwork and self-sacrifice, and the warning signs to watch for - Why burnout isn't confined to senior leaders, and how junior and entry-level comms staff are equally at risk - Practical first steps for CEOs and senior teams wanting to build a burnout-resistant organisational culture - Advice for small charities working with limited resources and no dedicated HR function - Sector news: the proposed under-16 social media ban and its implications for charity communicators, plus new Charity Commission findings on threats and intimidation faced by charity staff and trustees **Guest links and resources:** - Adeela Warley LinkedIn - CharityComms: charitycomms.org.uk - CharityComms Salary and Organisational Culture Survey: charitycomms.org.uk/salary-and-organisational-culture-survey-2025 - CharityComms Wellbeing Guide for communicators: charitycomms.org.uk/wellbeing-guide - CharityComms "signal template" resource: charitycomms.org.uk/the-signal-framework - Bank The Food (app connecting food donors to local food banks): bankthefood.com/ - Slade Gardens Community Play Association, Stockwell and Lambeth: sladeadventure.co.uk/ **Get involved:** - Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform - Email us at [⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠](mailto:thecharityshowpod@gmail.com) - Send a voice message to TheCharityShow - Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by **The Good Studio** – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠